By: Joy Warren
Over the last twelve months, the Counties of Bladen and Columbus have been developing the Bladen-Columbus County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This planning effort not only involves the County jurisdictions, but also all municipalities within these jurisdictions The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), as well as FEMA, requires participation in the mitigation planning process in order to receive certification under the updated (new) plan. The hazard mitigation plans must be updated on a five year cycle. The shift to a Regional approach is intended to reduce cost and burden on communities with regards to the update process. The Bladen/Columbus Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) has received preliminary approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stating that all jurisdictions should proceed with the adoption of the plan. The plan must be adopted by each of the participating County governments and by each of the municipal jurisdictions participating in the plan. A public hearing was held in tonight’s meeting to receive public comment on the adoption of the Bladen/Columbus Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. There were no comments from the public. Commissioners adopted the resolution as presented.
North Carolina General Statute requires that the Budget Officer submit a proposed budget and budget message to the governing body by June 1st of each year. The proposed budget for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year was presented on May 26, 2015. A public hearing was conducted during tonight’s meeting to gather comments from the public for the Town’s FY 2015/16 Budget. There were no public comments. The 2015/16 proposed budget is balanced with a .24 per $100 revenue-neutral tax rate. There are no proposed increases for residential sanitation, residential recycling, commercial compactor/recycling services in the General Fund and no increases in the Water/Wastewater Fund. Salaries are based on the MAPS Salary Allocation Schedule with a cap set by the Board at the June 4, 2015 Adjourned Meeting for full-time employees and a 2% COLA for limited service employees. Staff asked the Board to consider an increase in the following administrative fees:
General Fund
- Post Office Box Rent: (Last box increase was 2011)
Small Box Currently: $ 42.00 per yr Recommended: $ 56.00 per yr
Medium Box Currently: $ 56.00 per yr Recommended: $ 76.00 per yr
Large Box Currently: $100.00 per yr Recommended: $136.00 per
*** The proposed rates are the same as the Elizabethtown Post Office rates.
Building Rental:
Currently: $75.00 per day – Recommended: $100.00 per day
Water/Wastewater Fund
Transfer Fees
Currently: $10.00 – Recommended: $ 20.00
The Board adopted the budget as presented with the increases in administrative fees.
In administrative matters, the Board approved Utility Releases ($715.53); Tax Release(s) ($156.54); released the balances on the delinquent utility accounts as presented; and released uncollected taxes for 2004 in the amount of $1,072.50.
On May 28, 2014 Governor Pat McCrory signed HB 1050 into law eliminating the Town’s authority to levy privilege license taxes effectiveJuly 01, 2015. It is important to note that NCGS §105.113.79 regulating the sale of beer and wine (fortified and unfortified) is not affected by the appeal; therefore, privilege licenses will be levied against the two businesses that fall under NCGS §105.113.79. In an effort to comply with the law, the Board adopted an ordinance to rescind Privilege License Taxes, Section §110.15 through §110.32 of Chapter 110: General Operating and Licensing Procedures of the Town of White Lake Code of Ordinances in its entirety as presented.
The municipal complex will be closed Friday, July 03, 2015 in observance of Independence Day. A public works employee will be on call to respond to any water/sewer emergencies.
The upcoming municipal election will be conducted on Tuesday, November 03, 2015. The deadline for registering to vote according to G.S. 163-82.6(c) is 25 days prior to election which will be October 09, 2015 by 5:00 p.m. Those considering filing for office may do so beginning July 06, 2015 at 8:30 through July 17, 2015 at 12:00 noon.
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